(Bei xuan shen; Hyun-sam)
Unassuming perennial with attractive dark green leaves. The dried root is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory and vasodilator. Used to treat high blood pressure, fever, constipation, swelling, pharyngitis, neuritis, and laryngitis. In Korean medicine it is believed to help to "flush out poisons." Grows on lower mountain slopes and wet grasslands in China and Korea. Ht. 90cm/3ft.